The 29th edition of Palma International Boat Show is an opportunity for boating as well as water sports enthusiasts and leisure marine professionals to start a bright new exciting boating season in sunny Palma de Mallorca. The 2012 boat show will offer an amazing event for both local and international visitors.
29th Palma International Boat Show, April 28 to May 2, 2012
Exhibiting companies are looking to expand their horizons as the global economy continues to recover, and expenditure on leisure pursuits such as sailing, cruising, fishing, diving and surfing etc, starts to regain momentum.
Purchasers too are becoming more prospective, and looking further afield with an eye towards buying into the yachting lifestyle on a long term commitment offering them more family leisure time and relaxation.
The newly elected Partido Popular government in The Balearics and its Director General of Trade and Enterprise, CesarPacheco, have recognised this, and have elected to work with the yachting and water sports sector and all interested parties, in order to present a 2012 show that is worthy of this level of expectation. Already this structured and collective approach has brought about changes for the 2012 Palma Boat Show.
Members of this year’s organising committee and advisors come from most of the major Spanish yachting associations, the port authorities, tourism ministry, chamber of commerce, marinas / sailing clubs and yachting media.
Chema Sans the boat show’s director said: “2013 sees us celebrating the 30th year of the Palma Boat Show, we think this will coincide perfectly with the regeneration of the world economy and a return to higher spending on liesure pursuits. We are also confident that this year’s show will be able to lay a good foundation, enabling exhibitors to get a return on investment, and allowing many visitors to enjoy our city, our nautical culture, and an array of marine products and services in a combined package that is hard to beat anywhere.”
The credentials behind the format, timing and location of the Palma show have never been in doubt, and can be simply expressed as follows:
The accessibility of Palma by air and sea is excellent, and it can be reached from almost anywhere with regular schedules and fair prices.
The city itself is already one of the most popular and historic tourist destinations in Europe, with first class facilities and entertainment all combining to make a visit to the boat show a truly enjoyable experience.
Palma is the only truly outdoor show in Europe, and is held at a time of the year when the Balearic weather us usually at its very best.
It is held at a time when everyone has had enough of stuffy halls at winter boat shows, and is ready to think about real boating in sunshine and fresh balmy sea breezes. A visit to Palma de Mallorca in early May is guaranteed to inject such thoughts into the yachtsman’s mind!
From a visitors point of view the main changes and features to know about are as follows:
The duration of the show will be reduced to 5 days – from April 28 to May 2. (Conveniently over the May Day holiday weekend.)
The opening hours will be from 11:00 to 20:00. There will be a special day on April 30, called the “Night of the Sea” where exhibitors who wish, can make their presentations and parties until 23:00.
There will be a special ‘open house’ day on May 2nd, when admission will be FREE from 15.00 hrs.
There will be FREE access to Industry Professionals: Any professional accrediting with a professional business card and ID will have free access to the show.
A special effort will be made to attract entertaining exhibitors or sponsors, who may have relevant nautical information, or interactive participative items to share with visitors.
Major international boat builders and equipment suppliers are already signed up. Companies like Sunseeker, Fairline, Princess, Oyster and San Lorenzo and many others will have plenty of boats in the water including their latest 2012 season models. Over 150 yachts of all sizes are expected to be moored on the floating pontoons at the show.
These are complimented by many specialised suppliers offering RIBS and tenders, fishing tackle, nautical clothing, navigation equipment, ports and marinas, and those producing the hardy and seaworthy ‘Llauts’, traditionally built for centuries in The Balearics, but these days combining the most modern materials and electronics with their renowned workmanship.
In 2011 the Palma Boat Show had 108 exhibitors located in a total exhibition area of 40,000 square meters (12,000 m2 land and 28,000 m2 floating) 30,000 visitors attended last year.
Entry tickets for the Palma International Boat Show are priced at: €6,00 with free entry for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the show ground.
